Very recent events...

Copied over from FB:

From my housemate; just saw it when I got to work. Oddly, the rainbow paint job and the household queerness quotient are pretty orthogonal. I'm waiting for more detail from G so we can determine what kind of report we can or want to file. Unsurprisingly, I'm both angry and exasperated.

Some ass hole just knocked on my front door to call me a "fucking faggot" because of our brightly colored house.
I hate stupid people

I told him and his minions to get the fuck off my yard and slammed the door in his face and he ran off screaming "faggot" so now I want to plant a sign in my yard but what do I write on it?

Me: Could you write down descriptions of them, and the incident? I would seriously consider filing a report, if you don't want to.

Three early twenties men short brown hair. The speaking one had a freshly broken nose and about 5'10". Can a report be filed when they did nothing physical and left promptly?

Me: I at least want to talk to The Center and make sure it gets recorded with whomever is recording such incidents for the queer community. They can probably advise whether it's something that should be filed with the police. I suspect so, in case there's a repeat occurence or other harassment.

OK, more on reporting Hate Crimes. (and our plans from here)

As I told Mom a bit ago, I can get intimidated, or I can get ENRAGED. I'm pretty clear on my choice here. I've talked to my coworker and boss, and they understand why I'm headed home early today to deal with this. G has a hard time with cops, and I'm sure as shit not making him report it by himself, but I do want it on paper today.

Also, G's taking suggestions for appropriate yard signage in response. (which reminds me; I wonder what happened to our "We are the 99%" sign?)

My ideas: btw, if we don't come up with appropriate verbiage for a new sign, I vote we just hang a big-ass rainbow flag so they won't have to come to the door to ask anymore. On the other hand "Yes, we're queer. Now go away and let us sleep" could work.

Convo with Chad:
Chad: how are you?
me: So-so. Irked that my day is going to be hijacked by wondering how worried I should be about this shit. And all the surrounding thoughts, like not being willing to be intimidated, and political elements of decisions to react, etc.
Chad: Nod - I can understand all that. I'm feeling the same.
Hugs
me: hugs
me: I'm processing it by doing it aloud -- on LJ. Trying to make it a teachable moment and also get the support I want right now (which is to feel like my community is around me)
Chad: I understand that. It's really beyond ridiculous, and I can't see how it is not illegal harassment. And I can understand all of the other thoughts too.
I know there are ugly people out there, but you should feel safe in your own damned home.
me: nod I strongly suspect it is illegal, given that they came onto private property (clearly -- gate!) for the express purpose of harrassing us.
Chad: Nod. I know I'm repeating myself, but if you need anything...
me: Thanks. Right now I'm trying to decide whether to call the cops today, or wait 'til we talk to the Center tomorrow.
Leaning toward calling them today.
Debating about trying to get home early in order to help G deal with that if we're going to, though.
Right now, going out for a smoke and to call my folks and rant about fucknuggets.

Report Hate Crimes -- Instructions from Lambda.org

Paste from the site (links at the original)

Report Hate Crimes

To report hate crimes, call 911 or your local police department. Assistance for survivors of hate crimes is available through:
HATE-CRIME NETWORK (USA/international) click here

Hate Crime National Hotline (USA) 206-350-HATE (4283)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


What to do following an incident ( Read more... )

Asking you to consider something...

So I'm writing a good deal today about the crap that happened to G at my/our house today. Part of why I'm writing about it is because I can. Because G and I are both out, because we don't have to worry about a homophobic landlord kicking us out, because we're got a supportive household and social circle who aren't asking us shit about whether we "brought it on ourselves". Because we're extremely educated about our rights. Because we're relatively comfortable trying to "take on the system" to make long-term changes, even though it'll be pretty pointless in the short-term.

This is about the most minor end of hate crime there is, and we're in an ideal position to let you see what that looks like and what it feels like, if you don't know.

Please consider than in the vast majority of cases, it's not this "easy". It's worse, or more persistent, or more violent. It happens to people who aren't in a position to get support, who often don't even entirely believe they deserve support. It happens to people who are less likely to get listened to than my semi-respectable-looking 37-year-old forceful and fancy-talking white ass.

My heart will still be in my mouth tonight when I have to deal with the cops about this, wondering if we'll get a sympathetic officer or not. There are still threads of stress about whether these assholes could come back and do us actual harm (vandalize our houses, endanger our animals, etc). Having someone go out of their way to communicate their hate of you leaves you with those kinds of questions. As relatively minor as this is, it's not a non-issue because of the context in which it happens. A context that does include the knowledge that shit like this happens in my state, in my country, to people like me and G.

The thing about hate crimes is that they're meant to send a message. Not just to the person they're directly targeted at, but to the entire community. A lesson about shutting up, about stopping daring to be noticed. It has more in common with terrorism than with individual conflict, generally.

So yeah. Today's sucked a bit, and I want to talk about that because I want you to understand.

As expected...

Called the 2nd Precinct to find out whether to come in to file a report there, or have someone come to the house. As expected, had to stand up for our right to have this reported, even though there isn't really anything they can do about it at the moment. Seem to have convinced the officer I spoke with (who even voluntarily used the phrase 'hate crime' so that's a good sign), but will have to go through it all over again when I get home. They don't recommend we come in, but that we call to have an officer come out. I've got the number for that, now, and anticipate the same kind of conversation all over again in order to get them to actually come out. And likely the same conversation a third time to get them to actually write a report and give us a copy. (sorry for the pre-emptive exasperation, but I've dealt with the local cops too many times on clinic protester violations).

A few linketies before I go...

SociologicalImages: Who Are the Oscars Voters?

Advocate: The Oscars: Actresses in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gender Bending and Coded Roles Throughout History

Alternet: The 10 Worst Things About the Oscars
While we ogle the pomp and circumstance, here are some things to keep in mind.

Alternet: Women Directors Missing From the Oscars, Whose Voters are Mostly Old White Men

Alternet/Colorlines: Domestic Workers Use Oscar Buzz Around ‘The Help’ to Create Change

Alternet: Bill Moyers Speaks Out About the Anti-Vaccination Craze

Alternet: Texas' War on Women Includes Those Transvaginal Ultrasounds

Alternet: It Never Ends: South Dakota Brings Back Bill Forcing Women To Go to Anti-Abortion CPCs
( Read more... )